English grammar question

My friend is studying English and is stuck on one question, for me it's right but my English sucks so over to you guys.

She has to create a sentence replacing the brackets with a sentence containing either of, neither of or both of.

So for example

I invited Seitse and Robbie for a gay fun boy party, but (Seitse couldn't come and Robbie couldn't)

Answer: I invited Seitse and Robbie for a gay fun boy party, but neither of them could come.

Her question:

My wife and I are very sorry to hear your news. (I feel very sorry for you, and my wife does to)

My friend answered with: Both of us feel sorry for you.

But it was incorrect and I feel like an idiot because the only thing I would change is 'both of us feel very sorry for you'.

Anyone have anything better?

Why was I not able to go to the party?!?! 😠

Originally posted by Seitse
Why was I not able to go to the party?!?! 😠

You said you were busy 😠😠😠

Originally posted by Trev33
You said you were busy 😠😠😠

Our commiserations to you. ?

You have our sympathy. ?

Originally posted by aranya10
Our commiserations to you. ?

You have our sympathy. ?

What about the actual question? My inner child couldn't resist the Seitse and Robbie example but this is a serious thread.

Originally posted by Trev33
What about the actual question? My inner child couldn't resist the Seitse and Robbie example but this is a serious thread.

You're damn right this is serious.

I have a reputation to look after! 😠

Originally posted by aranya10
Our commiserations to you. ?

You have our sympathy. ?

These are 2 suggestions to replace what is in the brackets.

Originally posted by Trev33

Anyone have anything better?

No. You were perfectly correct.

As far as I know

or .....> either
nor ......> neither
and ....> both

Originally posted by Trev33
My friend is studying English and is stuck on one question, for me it's right but my English sucks so over to you guys.

She has to create a sentence replacing the brackets with a sentence containing either of, neither of or both of.

So for example

I invited Seitse and Robbie for a gay fun boy party, but (Seitse couldn't come and Robbie couldn't)
...[text shortened]... y thing I would change is 'both of us feel very sorry for you'.

Anyone have anything better?

Both my wife and I are very sorry to hear your news.

Both of us are very sorry to hear your news.

"Sorry for you" can mean you pity the person or, depending on how you say it, are scornful of them. In written English communication you generally have to try and prevent ambiguity by thinking ahead and putting yourself in the other person's shoes. Not that you see that much on the RHP forums 😉 .

Originally posted by Trev33
What about the actual question? My inner child couldn't resist the Seitse and Robbie example but this is a serious thread.

Sorry misunderstood.

My wife and I are very sorry to hear your news, both of us sympathise with you.

Originally posted by aranya10
Sorry misunderstood.

My wife and I are very sorry to hear your news, both of us sympathise with you.

Strictly speaking, that comma should be a semicolon or full stop (may be relevant in a test).

Originally posted by NoEarthlyReason
Strictly speaking, that comma should be a semicolon or full stop (may be relevant in a test).

OK

Originally posted by aranya10
These are 2 suggestions to replace what is in the brackets.

I think you missed the point, the sentence had to include neither of, either of or both of.

Anyway, turns out it was being marked by a computer and i was right, just the very was missing.

Originally posted by aranya10
Sorry misunderstood.

My wife and I are very sorry to hear your news, both of us sympathise with you.

Already apologised.

Originally posted by Trev33
I invited Seitse and Robbie for a gay fun boy party, but neither of them could come.

Pure RHP gold.

😵